Excuse this brief interlude to the Top Ten 2009 campaign, but I think it's important. I hope you do too.
It appears I spoke too soon in a previous post. The music industry has formed a united front in calling for a deal on emissions out of the Copenhagen Summit. I wish I could share their optimism that a meaningful deal can be struck in the next fortnight, but I guess I'm an old-fashioned cynic when it comes to international cooperation.
What the release does show, however, is a distinct commitment on the part of the music industry to reduce its impact. The 100 signatures on this release feature some influential names - a sure sign that there are people willing to bring us great music at a lower carbon price.
As fans, our commuting to and from gigs has the biggest climate impact of all (as proven by Best Foot Forward's analysis of Radiohead's 2007 tour). I think it's important to bear that in mind.
Tuesday, 8 December 2009
Monday, 7 December 2009
Top ten 2009 - Soulsavers, Broken
The more I listen to this album, the more I’m touched by the intricacies that make it a classic: the relentless lead guitars played by someone who just doesn’t know when to say enough is enough; the understated vocal support from Red Ghost that tempers the emotion of lead vocalist Mark Lanegan; or the subtle clinking of ice cubes as two of rock's finest share a microphone over a whiskey.
I’ve already given this album its dues (see Where Have I Been?), so let’s move on. The end of the year is nigh.
What to listen out for.
Unbalanced Pieces, Some Misunderstanding, Praying Ground
When to listen to it.
After a break-up. This will guide you through all the necessary highs and lows and eventually leave you rejoicing.
Will we hear them again?
Undoubtedly. Soulsavers have a strong cult following and their third album will have done enough moments to pique the interests of the mainstream.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRomQF_eBuk
I’ve already given this album its dues (see Where Have I Been?), so let’s move on. The end of the year is nigh.
What to listen out for.
Unbalanced Pieces, Some Misunderstanding, Praying Ground
When to listen to it.
After a break-up. This will guide you through all the necessary highs and lows and eventually leave you rejoicing.
Will we hear them again?
Undoubtedly. Soulsavers have a strong cult following and their third album will have done enough moments to pique the interests of the mainstream.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRomQF_eBuk
Wednesday, 2 December 2009
Top ten 2009 - Wild Beasts, Two Dancers
There’s a danger with a band like Wild Beasts that they could be overwhelmed by the novelty factor; that vocals like Hayden Thorpe’s could tip them the wrong side of burlesque. With their previous album, Limbo, Panto, there was a risk the Leeds four-piece was entering an inescapable world of farce, doomed to forever accompany The Tiger Lillies on their indefinite world tours (not that that would be a bad thing for anyone).
But with Two Dancers Wild Beasts have successfully fused melodic pop and indie flair. The vocals feel more restrained this time around, but still give the band an edge – something original to differentiate them from the swarming NME brigade. This is a serious rock album, but deliciously laced with a touch of the absurd.
What to listen out for.
The Fun Powder Plot, All the King’s Men, This is our Lot
When to listen to it.
During morning ablutions – it wakes you, lifts you and gives you a great chance to wail in the shower
Will we hear them again?
Wild Beasts have had time to develop. They’ve been nursed through the difficult first years of their career by the country’s finest music pundits and have come out as a mature, accomplished band. They’ve got a sound that is instantly recognisable and easily lovable. There’ll be many more like Two Dancers.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sxh5zMbNAo
But with Two Dancers Wild Beasts have successfully fused melodic pop and indie flair. The vocals feel more restrained this time around, but still give the band an edge – something original to differentiate them from the swarming NME brigade. This is a serious rock album, but deliciously laced with a touch of the absurd.
What to listen out for.
The Fun Powder Plot, All the King’s Men, This is our Lot
When to listen to it.
During morning ablutions – it wakes you, lifts you and gives you a great chance to wail in the shower
Will we hear them again?
Wild Beasts have had time to develop. They’ve been nursed through the difficult first years of their career by the country’s finest music pundits and have come out as a mature, accomplished band. They’ve got a sound that is instantly recognisable and easily lovable. There’ll be many more like Two Dancers.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sxh5zMbNAo
Friday, 27 November 2009
Top ten 2009 - The xx, XX
Every so often, an album comes along that speaks to you in a way only the most intimate of lovers knows how. With every note, every beat, every lyric, you feel you’ve been engulfed by some higher being.
The xx is nothing more than a simple London four piece. They might have been educated in the same hallowed halls that spawned luminaries such as Burial, Hot Chip and Four Tet, but with this intricate debut they’ve discovered among themselves a formula that is as comforting, wholesome and pure as it is fresh, fragile and free. For me, the only problem is that it doesn’t go for long enough.
What to listen out for.
Shelter, Basic Space, Night Time
When to listen to it.
Whenever you get the chance, but maybe at 4am with plenty of candles and a group of close friends setting the world to rights
Will we hear them again?
They’ve entered a difficult place – a lot of people adore them early in their career. You almost wish they had a few failures before they landed this big one.
They've backed up their debut with a remix of You've Got the Love by fellow Londoner Florence and the Machine. While popular, I think it smacks of a band in danger of losing their originality to this city's love of compered club nights and faux dub step. I think they need to stay true to what's pure to them. To be here in a year, The xx need to reproduce the passion that engulfed them in recording this album. They simply need to love the music again as much as they loved these 11 tracks.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pib8eYDSFEI
The xx is nothing more than a simple London four piece. They might have been educated in the same hallowed halls that spawned luminaries such as Burial, Hot Chip and Four Tet, but with this intricate debut they’ve discovered among themselves a formula that is as comforting, wholesome and pure as it is fresh, fragile and free. For me, the only problem is that it doesn’t go for long enough.
What to listen out for.
Shelter, Basic Space, Night Time
When to listen to it.
Whenever you get the chance, but maybe at 4am with plenty of candles and a group of close friends setting the world to rights
Will we hear them again?
They’ve entered a difficult place – a lot of people adore them early in their career. You almost wish they had a few failures before they landed this big one.
They've backed up their debut with a remix of You've Got the Love by fellow Londoner Florence and the Machine. While popular, I think it smacks of a band in danger of losing their originality to this city's love of compered club nights and faux dub step. I think they need to stay true to what's pure to them. To be here in a year, The xx need to reproduce the passion that engulfed them in recording this album. They simply need to love the music again as much as they loved these 11 tracks.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pib8eYDSFEI
Top ten albums of 2009
What makes a great album? Surely something innovative. Definitely an element of class. Without doubt a little piece of personality.
Beauty is always in the eye of the beholder and I would never try to impose myself upon anyone. But for those who are interested, I begin today my top ten from 2009. They come in no particular order, but I guess you can assume the passion I have for each by the desire I have to write about them.
Tell me what you think.
Beauty is always in the eye of the beholder and I would never try to impose myself upon anyone. But for those who are interested, I begin today my top ten from 2009. They come in no particular order, but I guess you can assume the passion I have for each by the desire I have to write about them.
Tell me what you think.
Thursday, 19 November 2009
Guilty pleasures
If 2008 signalled the resurgence of folk, surely 2009 will be handed to the flamboyant world of indie girl pop. With the likes of Bat for Lashes releasing her second album, Florence and the Machine dazzling with her first, Little Boots walking all over the charts and La Roux, Lady Gaga and Ladyhawke filling venues generally reserved for the trendiest of indies, the UK's music scene has been well and truly taken over.
Each makes a concerted effort to distance herself from their pop star peers with an elaborate outfit and a crafty beat. But the fact remains that their albums are topping the charts. There's every chance that you're listening to the same music as a 14-year-old girl. Sometimes you just can't help but put some metal on straight after indulging yourself.
I find it helps to embrace it. Find the ones that you relate to and mock those you don't. Bat for Lashes will always have a place in my heart and I've not been able to avoid the freight train that Florence has come riding in on.
Now I'm opening myself up to Ellie Goulding. She seems to have an edginess that could have seen her fronting a rock band a la Karen O in another life. Maybe something will reveal itself at Cargo on 1st December, maybe I'll be forced to explain myself here in six months. But I listen to enough heavy stuff to confortably stomach the embarrassment. Come with me on this...
Each makes a concerted effort to distance herself from their pop star peers with an elaborate outfit and a crafty beat. But the fact remains that their albums are topping the charts. There's every chance that you're listening to the same music as a 14-year-old girl. Sometimes you just can't help but put some metal on straight after indulging yourself.
I find it helps to embrace it. Find the ones that you relate to and mock those you don't. Bat for Lashes will always have a place in my heart and I've not been able to avoid the freight train that Florence has come riding in on.
Now I'm opening myself up to Ellie Goulding. She seems to have an edginess that could have seen her fronting a rock band a la Karen O in another life. Maybe something will reveal itself at Cargo on 1st December, maybe I'll be forced to explain myself here in six months. But I listen to enough heavy stuff to confortably stomach the embarrassment. Come with me on this...
Monday, 12 October 2009
Two voices better than one?
When Gomez burst onto the scene in 1998, a defining part of their resounding debut, Bring it On, was the multiple vocalists. It differentiated them from the others. Each of the three lead vocalists was strong enough to carry a song solo, but together they truly shone. It was certainly not a new formula, but they carried it out perfectly and it has served them successfully through their career ever since that emphatic debut.
It’s also a formula that’s becoming less popular and harder to pull off. Not so with The xx. Sure, the male/female combination is an easy win. Nonetheless, Oliver Sim and Romy Madley Croft have produced a precious double act. Individually, their voices lull you into a deep, ponderous dream. Combined, the speakers exude palpable energy. Perhaps the fact that they’re apparently best friends helps, because they also seem to know when to rein each other in. Sim’s muted harmonies harness Croft’s anguish without robbing her of her moment. Equally, when Sim needs a lift, Croft answers with measured intensity.
Like Bring It On 11 years ago, there’s a lot to love about this eponymous debut, but nothing more so than the exquisite tones trembling through the microphones.
It’s also a formula that’s becoming less popular and harder to pull off. Not so with The xx. Sure, the male/female combination is an easy win. Nonetheless, Oliver Sim and Romy Madley Croft have produced a precious double act. Individually, their voices lull you into a deep, ponderous dream. Combined, the speakers exude palpable energy. Perhaps the fact that they’re apparently best friends helps, because they also seem to know when to rein each other in. Sim’s muted harmonies harness Croft’s anguish without robbing her of her moment. Equally, when Sim needs a lift, Croft answers with measured intensity.
Like Bring It On 11 years ago, there’s a lot to love about this eponymous debut, but nothing more so than the exquisite tones trembling through the microphones.
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